barsetshirediarieshttps://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com
A site for the Barsetshire Diaries Books and othersThu, 17 Aug 2017 14:23:41 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngbarsetshirediarieshttps://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com
Math, son of Mathonwyhttps://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/2017/08/13/math-son-of-mathonwy/
https://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/2017/08/13/math-son-of-mathonwy/#commentsSun, 13 Aug 2017 21:33:38 +0000http://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/?p=5752Continue reading →]]>Gwynedd in north Wales is ruled by the magician king Math fab Mathonwy, whose feet must be held by a virgin at all times except while he is at war. Math’s nephew Gilfaethwy is infatuated with Goewin, the royal maiden foot-holder, so Gilfaethwy’s brother Gwydion plots to aid him. He deceives Pryderi of Dyfed with magical sham gifts of horses and dogs, in exchange for Pryderi’s valuable pigs, a gift from Annwfn. Dyfed makes war in revenge, so Math leaves Goewin without his protection. Gwydion and Gilfaethwy rape her, and Gwydion kills Pryderi in single combat. Math marries Goewin in compensation for her rape. He punishes the two brothers by shapeshifting them into animal pairs who must mate and bear young; first deer, then boars, then wolves. The sons they bear become Math’s foster sons, and after three years the brothers are reconciled with Math.

Gwydion suggests his sister Arianrhod as the new footholder. Math magically tests her virginity requiring her to step over his wand. She immediately gives birth to a son, Dylan ail Don, who takes to the sea. She also drops a scrap of life which Gwydion scoops up and incubates in a chest by his bed. Arianrhod is deeply shamed and angered so she utterly rejects the boy. She swears a destiny upon him that he cannot have name, nor warrior arms, except she gives them to him. Gwydion tricks her into naming the boy Lleu Llaw Gyffes (Bright Skilful Hand) by speaking to him, not knowing who he is as he is shapeshifted. More shapeshifting fakes a military attack so Arianrhod gives them arms.

Arianrhod’s third curse is Lleu may not marry a human woman. Gwydion and Math construct a beautiful wife for him from oak, broom, and meadowsweet, naming her Blodeuwedd, “Flower Face”. But Blodeuwedd and Gronw Pebr fall deeply in love. Gronw tells her to find out the secret of Lleu’s protected life, which she does in the trust of her marriage bed. She begs Lleu to explain so she can know how to protect him. The method is complicated, taking a year of almost impossible effort but Goronwy completes it and Lleu falls to his spear. Blodeuwedd and Gronw then live together.

Gwydion pursues a quest to find Lleu, who far away has shifted to eagle form and perches up a tree, dying. Gwydion tracks a sow which he finds eating maggots falling from Lleu’s rotting body. Gwydion sings a magical englynion (“poem”) gradually bringing Lleu back to humanity. Gronw offers to compensate Lleu; but Lleu insists on returning the blow as it was struck against him. Gronw is cowardly and attempts to evade it using a stone shield. Lleu kills Gronw with his spear, which pierces him through the stone. Gwydion punishes Blodeuwedd by shapeshifting her into an owl, a pariah among birds.

Another delightful episode of family harmony ends the fourth branch of the Mabinogion, the Myths of Wales (Cymru).

Ready for Love 1

Ready for Love 2

Not another flippin’ photo shoot.

I wanted to do the last of my Mabinogion posts to complete the set but I’m afraid I’m still not ready to return to my job of re-tweeting and commenting on your posts as I can’t sit comfortably at my computer still. I’m hoping if I take another week things might be better (than they are). Have a wonderful week and make sure you keep sharing those smiles, especially if you see a face without one. Keep hugging where you can so you give and receive pleasure in equal measure. Hugging is health giving.

This morning my bro and I were in a traffic accident. A car decided to overtake at speed as Mike was turning right. By some miracle neither of us was hurt beyond a nagging headache. Mike is saddened by the loss of his beautiful ‘baby’ which was hit hard enough to tear the front wheel from the axle. The aggressor drove off. We were pretty badly shaken but people in the houses round about came to make sure we were OK and to offer all kinds of help. It seems kindness isn’t too far from the surface in many of us.

Pryderi of Dyfed returns from the Irish War as one of its few survivors, to reunite with his mother Rhiannon, and his wife Cigfa. He brings with him his beloved war comrade, Manawydan, the heir to the kingship of all Britain. But Manawydan’s rights as heir to Britain have been usurped by Caswallon, and he does not want more war. Pryderi establishes him as the lord of Dyfed, including marriage to Rhiannon, a union which both partners welcome. The four of them, Pryderi, his wife Cigfa, Rhiannon and her new husband Manawydan, become very good friends indeed, and travel the land of Dyfed admiring how bountiful it is.

Together they sit the Gorsedd Arberth, as Pwyll once did. A clap of thunder, a bright light, and magical mist descend. Afterwards the land is devastated of all other life except wild animals. The four live by hunting, but after two years they want more, so they travel to England. In three towns in turn they craft saddles, shields and shoes of such quality that the local craftsmen cannot compete, so their envy becomes dangerous. Pryderi dislikes the lower class way of life, and Manawydan stops him from fighting their enemies. Instead Manawydan insists on moving away. After three attempts like this, they return to Dyfed.

Once more living as hunters Pryderi and Manawydan follow a shining white boar to a strange castle. Pryderi, against Manawydan’s advice, follows his hounds inside to become trapped there by a golden bowl. Manawydan waits, then reports to Rhiannon who rebukes his failure to rescue his friend. But when she follows her son she too becomes trapped. Alone with Cigfa, Manawydan reassures her he will respect her virtue. After another attempt in England as shoemakers, the pair return to Dyfed, and Manawydan farms three fields of wheat next to Gorsedd Arberth. But his first field’s harvest is cut down by thieves, and his second. He sits vigil at night, and sees a horde of mice eating the ripe corn. He catches a slow, fat one. Against Cigfa’s protest he sets up a miniature gibbet to hang it as a thief.

A scholar, a priest and a bishop in turn offer him money if he will spare the mouse which he refuses. When asked what he wants for the mouse’s life he first demands an explanation. The bishop tells him he is Llwyd, friend of the wronged Gwawl, the mouse is Llwyd’s shapeshifted wife, and the devastation of Dyfed is to avenge Gwawl. Manawydan bargains to release of Pryderi and Rhiannon, and the lifting of the curse on Dyfed.

A Study in Biscuit

Radiance

Masterclass in Upper Foot Painting.

Have a wonderful week. Keep sparing a smile for those faces that don’t bear one and if a hug is welcome, make sure you hug. Don’t forget to ask for plenty yourself too.

My apologies but I will be off the radar for a while so you’ll have to get someone else to bore you but I will be checking up on those smiles. Though I will get to individual emails I won’t be commenting on blogs or tweeting anything. No promotions I’m afraid but it doesn’t mean I don’t care for you all. I just need some time.

Hugs Galore

]]>https://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/2017/07/30/manawydan-son-of-llyr/feed/44lorddavidprossera STUDY IN BISCUITradiancemasterclass in upper foor paintingNest ferch Rhys, Princess of South Wales.https://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/2017/07/23/nest-ferch-rhys-princess-of-south-wales/
https://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/2017/07/23/nest-ferch-rhys-princess-of-south-wales/#commentsSun, 23 Jul 2017 21:47:50 +0000http://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/?p=5685Continue reading →]]>This week a true-tale (no doubt with a few embellishments) rather than a myth to give you an idea of the times. Oh dear, life was never boring was it?

Nest ferch Rhys born about 1086 (died after 1136) was a Welsh princess of Deheubarth who was renowned for her beauty. Nest was the daughter of Prince Rhys ap Tewdwr Mawr by his wife, Gwladys ferch Rhiwallon. She was descended from King Hywel Dda of Wales the famous lawmaker. After her father’s death in 1093, Deheubarth was conquered by the Normans and King Henry I of England appointed himself her protector. Nest is thought to have borne him a son, Henry FitzRoy (1103-1158).

Around 1095 King Henry decided to marry Nest to one of his followers, Gerald de Windsor, whom he appointed Constable of Pembroke. Nest and Gerald had five children:

1. William FitzGerald (died 1173)

2. Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Llansteffan (died 1 September 1177)

3. David FitzGerald, Archdeacon of Cardigan and Bishop of St David's

4. Angharad de Windsor, who married William de Barry

5. A daughter (possibly Gwladys), the mother of Milo de Cogan

During Christmas 1109, Nest and her husband were visited by her cousin, Owain ap Cadwgan, son of Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, Prince of Powys. The story goes that Owain was so taken with Nest’s beauty that he and fifteen companions attacked the castle of Cenarth Bychan (possibly Cilgerran Castle or Carew Castle, both in Pembrokeshire), seized Nest, and carried her and her children off.

Tradition also states that Gerald escaped by jumping down the garderobe (i.e. the lavatory chute) to get away. The children were later returned to Gerald. Nest is said to have borne Owain two sons, Llywelyn and Einion, before finally being returned to her husband. (This is disputed).

This abduction earned Nest the nickname “Helen of Wales” because it led to civil war on a small scale. Owain ap Cadwgan left the country to avoid retribution, whilst Owain’s father, Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, lost his own lands. Gerald waited for Owain to return to Wales, then ambushed and killed him. After Gerald’s death, Nest became the lover of Stephen, Constable of Cardigan, by whom she had another son, Robert Fitz-Stephen who died in 1182.

Nest’s daughter, Angharad, married William de Barry and had by him four sons: Robert; Philip, the founder of Ballybeg Abbey at Buttevant in Ireland; Walter; the historian Gerald of Wales. Her sons Philip and Robert campaigned in Ireland with Strongbow; Robert died there in 1182.

Robert and Philip were the founders of the family Walsh/Welsh of Kilkenny where they built a Castle known as Castle hale of Kilkenny, Ireland Castle Hale of the Walsh Mountains Kilkenny They conquered Kilkenny. They had become known as the “Welshies” rather than “Hywel” and thus named,they remain to this day; the name Hale being derived from Howell.

Therefore the Welsh and Walsh family of Kilkenny Ireland are also descended from Hywel Dda.

The daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr, a Welsh prince and Gwladys ferch Rhiwallon in sometime between 1095 and 1100

Gave the site of Carew Castle as a dowry

Had at least 5 children with Gerald de Windsor

Owain ap Cadwgan, Nest’s cousin and son of another Welsh Prince, started a fire at Carew Castle in 1109

de Windsor escaped but Owain captured Nest

Had two children by Owain

After Gerald de Windsor died, she married Stephen of Cardigan Castle

It is said that Nest’s ghost haunts Carew Castle in the form of a gentle white lady.

Queen of the Fairies.

Yay, I think this is a Line Dance.

Poorly, high temp, tonsilitis.

Music for my muchachos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AXkfhqvO44

There was a time not too long ago that Turkey wanted to join the European Union and would probably have been able to do so fairly quickly had it not been for an abysmal human rights record. People have gone on treating Turkey as a holiday capital with many buying homes and retiring out there. Now however things have changed. Human rights have been disregarded in full, especially for reporters . President Erdogan has passed many new laws making Turkey virtually a dictatorship while the wings of the news reporters via TV and Newspapers have been clipped. Some have disappeared. Erdogan has allied himself with Russia and hence with Libya making it even less likely to find an easy way to solve that crisis.

It’s not getting any easier to promote peace while even America now isolates itself inside it’s borders. Not wanting anything to do with Mexico, seemingly indifferent to Canada and easing it’s way out of old friendships and new agreements in Europe. Enemies with Russia, Libya and North Korea and with half it’s own people thanks to the inept President now in power. Lets make sure we reach out in friendship to everyone to show we still want just One World of humanity out there.

Remember to share smiles with those not bearing one, we can afford it, and hugs where we can but with permission. The world can be a better place.

“Pwyll Prince of Dyfed“, is hunting on his own land and meets the shining Cŵn Annwn or “Hounds of Annwfn”, and takes another man’s kill, a stag, for himself. Arawn, the king of Annwfn, is greatly offended. As recompense, Pwyll switches bodies with Arawn and dwells in Annwfn to vanquish Arawn’s adversary, Hafgan as well Pwyll chastely shares the queen’s bed for a year. Pwyll defeats Arawn’s enemy Hafgan, and is then rewarded with and alliance between his land of Dyfed, and Annwfn. Pwyll then returns home to Dyfed where he finds it has been well ruled by Arawn in the past year.

Next, Pwyll encounters Rhiannon, a beautiful and powerful maiden on a shining magical horse. They are strangely unreachable by anyone, for as they attempt to approach, Rhiannon and her horse get farther away. Finally, they ask her to stop in which she complies and it is revealed that Rhiannon has chosen Pwyll as her husband to which he welcomes. On Rhiannon and Pwyll’s wedding day in the court of Hyfaidd Hen, Gwawl vab Clud appears in disguise and tricks Pwyll into giving him the entire wedding feast and Rhiannon. Rhiannon then guides Pwyll through a cunning strategy using her magic bag which can never be filled, to extricate her from her betrothal to the princely Gwawl. Gwawl is trapped in the bag and beaten by Pwyll’s men until he agrees to Rhiannon’s terms, including foregoing vengeance.

Rhiannon eventually bears Pwyll a son and heir, but the child disappears the night he is born. Rhiannon’s maids in fear of their lives, accuse her of killing and eating her own baby. Rhiannon negotiates a penalty where she must sit at the castle gate every day for seven years telling her terrible tale to strangers and offer them a ride on her back. Meanwhile, the child is rescued from its monstrous abductor by Teyrnon Twrf Lliant. He and his wife adopt the boy who grows heroically apace, and adores horses. They called him Gwri Wallt Evryn (Gwri ‘Golden Hair’, Welsh: Gwallt Euraid). Teyrnon sees the boy’s resemblance to Pwyll, so he restores the boy to Dyfed for a happy ending. Rhiannon is vindicated as is Pwyll’s loyalty to her. Their son is renamed Pryderi “Loss”, as is custom from his mother’s first words to him: “Pryderi” puns on anxiety and labour. In due course, Pryderi inherits the rule of Dyfed.

From WIKIPEDIA.

Today’s music is a long one but the video is great.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Reuben.

Car 67 by Driver 67

Have a wonderful week everyone. Don’t forget that smiles can be contagious so make sure as many people catch them as possible. Hugs are good for your health so make sure you get plenty and to be fair, give plenty back too. Get permission first though eh?

To all my friends and followers of Oscar’s Blog, I have to tell you that Oscar passed away a few days after his last episode at 18 years old. ( 1st Oct 2012) He’s gone on to new adventures elsewhere.
Thank you for all the kind remarks we’ve had over the course of his adventures.

My very good friend Ali Isaac https://aliisaacstoryteller.com/ has tried to persuade me that I should bombard you with folk tales from my country. I tried hard to disabuse her of the notion that I actually know any but she wouldn’t let me get away with that. So, for a week or two I may see what I can dig up and then decide whether to carry on a little more, dependent on comments.

Branwen ferch Llŷr

Branwen, sister of Brân the Blessed, king of Britain, is given in marriage to Matholwch, king of Ireland. Branwen’s half-brother Efnysien insults Matholwch by mutilating his horses, but Brân gives him new horses and treasure, including a magical cauldron which can restore the dead to life, in compensation. Matholwch and Branwen have a son, Gwern, but Matholwch proceeds to mistreat Branwen, beating her and making her a drudge. Branwen trains a starling to take a message to Bran, who goes to war against Matholwch. His army crosses the Irish Sea in ships, but Brân is so huge he wades across. The Irish offer to make peace, and build a house big enough to entertain Bran, but inside they hang a hundred bags, telling Efnysien they contain flour, when in fact they conceal armed warriors. Efnysien kills the warriors by squeezing the bags. Later, at the feast, Efnysien throws Gwern on the fire and fighting breaks out. Seeing that the Irish are using the cauldron to revive their dead, Efnysien hides among the corpses and destroys the cauldron, although the effort costs him his life. Only seven men, all Britons, survive the battle, including Pryderi, Manawyddan and Bran, who is mortally wounded by a poisoned spear. Brân asks his companions to cut off his head and take it back to Britain. Branwen dies of grief on returning home. Five pregnant women survive to repopulate Ireland.

It strikes me it’s not great to be related to Efnysien, there’s one in every family who insults the new husband at the wedding, not that most throw their nephew on a fire though. I suppose he did try to make up for things by breaking the cauldron but it’s not great when your actions mean the death of the king. Just as well he died.

Hitting the Bottle

The Initiated and the unimpressed.

I wish you all a wonderful week and remind you to not spare the hugs.A man told me I should offer always to walk a mile in another’s shoes. I would then have a new pair of shoes and be a mile further away from him. Walk in my wisdom.

Song of this week an oldie but weirdie , fantastic voices though https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX-MyKQlndo

I hate to say this, but I want to be 100% clear on it. Longlegs tell lies. For a long time I always gave them the benefit of the doubt. Times like when I was taken to see the hefty Longlegs in the white coat, only to be told by My ‘The Her’ “This won’t hurt Oscar, there’s a good boy” just before the fiend in white stuck a very long needle in my rump and it DID hurt like mad, or at least stung badly. Or perhaps the times like My ‘the Him’ tried to blow a worming tablet down my throat just before I sneezed. He said it would do me good but my sneeze sent it back up the pipe and he swallowed it. Well it didn’t do me any good at all then did it?

The worst of all is the holiday. That’s the word they use when I’m not going to see them for a few light times and dark times and they put me in prison. I mean, I may have been a little mean sometimes, but only when I want to be. Maybe I shouldn’t wake My ‘The Him’ up from sleep the way I do sometimes but I need a laugh don’t I? And maybe I was a little wrong to grip his chest when he was carrying me and then continue gripping it as I slid down when he let go. Perhaps I am a little mean to use their foot furs as a teaching aid, but if I didn’t pee in them how would they learn not to upset me? Anyway, the holiday. It’s cruel to put me in prison where I can’t keep an eye on my domain.Excuse me a moment.

Ah, that memory made me feel so bad I thought I’d better remind My ‘The Him’ to be nice to me, and his foot furs were so handy. Again, back to the holiday. Their kitten has married and gone away so their two Superiors Millie and Maddie have gone on holiday too. Only they haven’t if you see what I mean since they’ve been sent to prison and my Longlegs did the dirty deed. Two nicer Superiors you couldn’t find, well naturally, since we’re related, and they don’t deserve this. I’m at a loss. Should I carry food to them, should I break them out or should I just embark on a new training programme for my Longlegs to show them how displeased I am?

After all, what’s the point of all the lies since we always get to the truth in the end. And we Superiors don’t lie. We didn’t really understand the concept until we befriended Longlegs. If we say we Love You, then we Love You though sometimes we can be a little crosspatch about it. If we say you’ll pay for something you’ve done, it’ no lie, we’ll get round to it sometime, even if we give the impression we’ve forgotten. Actually we never forget. It’s not elephant’s memories you need worry about.

So for any Longlegs out there looking in. STOP LYING TO US ! And for all my faithful Superior friends, make sure you punish your Longlegs for any lies they tell, especially to you and for Bastet’s sake don’t listen if the Longlegs in the white fur tells you it won’t hurt.

Caught in the Act.

I think she’s eyeing up my toast.

Congratulations Canada on your 150th birthday.

I hope my American friends can enjoy heir 4th July on Tuesday. Many won’t feel like celebrating but you have to show you’ve not been broken by the things that are happening in your Country. Those of you that have not given way to all the different hates, skin colour, religion, refugees, same sex partners and even the press must go on to show you’re still the same caring people you always were.

Have a wonderful new week. May your spirits be raised and hugs be aplenty. Share a smile if you can and improve someone’s day.

It’s obvious that my talents are recognised. My ‘The Him’ and ‘The Her’ left laden with bags while it was still dark. He carried in one hand that silly tall head fur he wears sometimes that he always thinks makes him look tall. And she had a fur that was too bright to be near. I know their kitten was getting ‘married’ which means living with someone I think and they try to be smart for them, but really I keep the same fur all the time even at weddings that I go to in the local church. That’s what I would have advised if asked, plain fur. But of course they never ask.

Anyway here I am. In charge of the place and it’s contents which I suppose means the rats and the degus too. I strolled casually into the front room ready to give them my rules for the day and no-one was up. I decided the best thing to do was go to bed for a while myself. So that’s what I did. Taking myself off to ‘The Her’s’ sleeping platform Is settled down.

It’s possible I might have dozed for a while because when I woke, the light time was here. It was time to eat. And there was my first shock, someone had forgotten to leave food other than the remains of last nights food, and a dish with a few biscuits. I hoped they wouldn’t be out for long. In an attempt to concentrate my mind elsewhere I went back through to the front room only to find all the rodents in both cages were eating.
Priya was eating corn and when she threw some at me it bounced dry and hard. I don’t know if she threw it as a gesture of kindness but knowing the rodents that’s not the way my mind would go. None of them spoke to me. I wished them all a good-day because I’m obviously polite but Penny was the only one to answer saying ” What do you want cat we know you’re no friend of ours?”
“Just being polite” I said “and reminding you I’m in charge so if I ask you to jump I’d like to hear. How High?.
The sound of laughter was irritating so with tail and head held high I left.

It’s a real talent I have for sleeping so when I next woke the dark was slowly returning. I wandered through to look at the fish who were aimlessly swimming around their tank. Such a boring life. Then I heard the calls.” Hey cat, where are you”? and “Oscar, can I have a word” from Bernie and Penny respectively, or in Bernie’s case dis-respectively. ( I know this isn’t a word but Oscar doesn’t). I went back through to them.
“What is it rats” I asked. ” The man and woman forgot to feed us before they left and we’re peckish” said Amy. “Us too” squealed Saffy.
“And what do you expect from me” I asked.
“Well you can let us out to help ourselves ” said Penny, “after all, we know where it is”.
“OR”? I asked.
“Well perhaps you can pass some food up to us” said Penny “It’s only under the table beneath us.
Starting with the degus because I knew Penny would be cross, I did just that. I passed up some hay and some biscuits, then little pellets that took an age one at a time. Finally Penny asked me to pass up a bag from the table which was a horrible medicine the humans made the rats take. I liked the sound of that and did so. I was tired enough for a nap after that and returned to ‘The Her’s’ bed to relax.

A noise woke me. It was dark, it was late dark I could tell. The front clearway opened and in they walked. The him was still laden down and still carrying the head fur.But now they were both wearing bright skins full of strange patterns.
“Hello Oscar my baby” said ‘The Her’ to which I responded with a purr as I went to greet her. ” I bet you’re hungry since we forgot to leave food today.” Well that wasn’t in doubt.
She sat down t take hew paw covers off and as he walked in laden down she said ” Feed Oscar please dear, I must get changed for bed.”
H e put me a lovely bowl of chicken out and as I was eating I heard him call “Julia Dear, you didn’t leave the sweets near the girls did you, they seem to have got the bag into the cage and eaten the lot.”
“WHAT”? she replied “Of course not, in fact I know they were on the table this morning when we left as I thought about giving them one but didn’t want to wake them.”
He walked past me with a look of puzzlement.

As always I wish you all a Wonderful Week. If you have smiles to spare give them to anyone you see without one and don’t forget to offer as many hugs out as you can to as many different people as you can. Embrace our differences don’t fear them..

I was locked out of the room with the seats. Me! Kept away from the seats. And I could hear the scrabbling on the floor of things I should have been catching. I could also hear My ‘The Him’ and ‘The Her’ calling to them and cursing their speed. If only they hadn’t closed the clearway I could have put a stop to that straight away. The only place they’d be going to fast is my mouth.

It took a long time but finally the clearway opened and I was allowed in.I was disappointed to see the rats were still in their cage but oddly enough the degus weren’t. They were in a small carrying case on the seat. I went over to check on them and they ‘chittered ‘ at me and hissed. I ignored them since I have the last laugh, they’re in a carrier and I’m not.

My ‘The Her’ put her fur on to go out and My ‘The Him’ picked up the arm sticks he uses and followed carrying the degus. It looks like they’re taking the new rodents away and I’ll just have to cope with the rats then, unless they’re next of course. It was quiet at home since the rats make most noise at night so I left through one of the small clearways left open for me. I strolled towards the village and met Ginger. He told me there was a lovely smell coming from one of the houses at the bottom of the hill. It had to be worth a closer look. As we approached we could see there was a clearway open and on the ledge inside were two plates with a fish pie gently steaming. Though these had probably been left as gifts for us I was still careful in my approach since the Longlegs can be moody creatures for no reason. Proof of that came as I got close to the sill and the Longlegs inside saw me. She shouted ‘Oi’ or something and pulled the plates out of reach. Strange behaviour. Stranger still was her next move which was to throw a jug of water, complete with jug, at us which drenched poor Ginger and missed me. He was not happy and let out a screech which said so before he ran off. I chose the same moment to beat a hasty retreat too.

Since Ginger wasn’t in sight and the Longlegs had withdrawn her gift ( perhaps it was not meant for Ginger to share) I headed for home to eat. I had just got there when My ‘The Him and Her’ arrived. They still had the carrier which I guessed was now empty and ready for the rats. But as we got inside I saw it still contained rodents. Less of them to be sure, but they were still there. Only three now instead of six as before. It was a blow but it was a better situation than before. I heard My ‘The Her’ saying she hoped they’d go to good homes so I guess she’d given some away. I went to eat to ward off my disappointment in the day. I heard the head rat Amy saying she was cross that some had come back. I guess they don’t get on. But then, who gets on with rats anyway?

Hat thief

The climber.

Engine coolant.

This has been a bad week with the news of the fire engulfing a tower block of flats in London. The death toll has been rising steadily all week and I don’t believe they’ve found everybody yet. I’m hoping it proves to be a tragic accident and that other blocks aren’t at risk but if it proves to be criminal negligence after millions were spent there last year I hope the culprits are made to pay. You can’t put life below cost in importance.

The fire crews called out to tackle the blaze worked tirelessly above and beyond. Nothing short of heroic. I ‘d like to pay tribute to them that even more lives weren’t lost.

I wish you all a wonderful week filled with happiness and Hugs. Don’t forget to make someone’s day with a smile and/or a hug.

Enjoy the song for tonight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntuqTuc6HxM

My day started really well. As the light first grew through the small clearways I jumped up beside My ‘The Him’ on his sleeping place and made my whiskers tickle him under his nose until he woke up with a mighty Aatishoo. Startled he looked at me and I told him my food dish was empty. “It’s not even 5 o’bl**dy clock he growled swinging his legs out and heading for my dishes. I occupied the warm spot left by him for moment-just to show I could- and then headed off to my dishes, letting the warm spot get cold before he returned.

Eating finished it was time to survey my domain. I intended asking My ‘The Him’ to open a small clearway but when I returned to his room he’d already done so before snuggling back down in his bed furs. I decided to let him sleep. Jumping up onto the sill I exited the room through the clearway and leapt down to the garden. The flying things were all waking up and starting to sing but there were none on the ground for me to pounce on. The ones that don’t get caught are quick learners. I could see them in the branches spreading their wings to descend after I’d gone. Some of them are very pretty.All was quiet in the village itself. No Longlegs moving around yet, perhaps because it was only 5 o’bl**dy clock? I heard the dog from the Fursty Ferret that they’d bought after someone had been in and stolen a full salmon one one occasion and some ham on another.It must have been at times other than when they’d left them as gifts for me to take. It was a bit pointless to get the dog since she was very shy and hid in a corner if a Longlegs came too close. Since none of my friends were out and about I decided to have a word with her. Jumping up on the wall at the back of the Fursty Ferett I looked down at her.
“Good new light Rover” I said, ” have you caught any thieves.”
With a look of derision on her face she answered ” My name is Lassie not Rover, and I don’t like cats very much so come no closer.”
“Fair enough” I replied, “I know when I’m not wanted.”
“Wait” she called, “I haven’t spoken to anyone all dark time. A cat’s better than nothing.”
My hackles started to rise at this but I know not all dogs are blessed with manners any more than they’re blessed with sense. “What do you want?” I asked.
” Tell me all about where we are and what it’s like.” she responded.
So after reminding her that it’s good to have manners, I did.
“Ah” she said “If only I could see it.”
Biting my tongue to stop the remark that was about to appear I suggested that she could. It was just a case of moving a few beer crates a little closer to the wall with her teeth. They were empty so not very heavy and moved easily when she tried. As soon a two together were there and then a single I suggested she could use them as steps. It scares me that something as simple as this defeats even a dog but I must be kind.
Lassie used the crates as steps and appeared next to me at the top of the wall. I wasn’t too worried since ( a) I’m very fast when needs be and (b) I don’t think she took being a dog very seriously in the traditional sense.It took very little persuasion for me to get Lassie to join me in my walk and get to know the village a bit better. Since the Fursty Ferret is open so late I didn’t think anyone would be awake to miss her at this time of the day. My biggest fear was of one of my friends seeing me walking around with a dog. I’d have to claim I’d trained her or something but I’m not sure I’d have been believed. Anyway, by luck we saw no-one and after a good tour we headed back to the Fursty Ferret where she mounted the wall easily from my side and was able to use the steps to get down her own side. Before I left she looked up and thanked me. Said I was her only true friend there and she hoped I’d come by for another walk sometime. “Hrumph” I answered and headed off home for breakfast and to play alarm cat again if My ‘The Him’ wasn’t up. Well, I have to have some fun don’t I?

My beautiful granddaughter.

My name is Diego Montoya, you killed my father……. From the Princess Bride.

The Singist.

This week I’m going off trend to play you what I think is a great piece of live music and live singing. I’d never have kept my foot still and I don’ even like jazz.

I wish all of you a fantastic week with as much love and as many hugs as you can handle. Remember to smile at people to brighten their day and you’ll find it brightens yours too.

Oscar made it quite clear yesterday that his birthday was his alone. That wasn’t very kind towards the others who live here. I confess I’m not too bothered about the degu and her children as she is treated constantly to make up for feeding time, but there is me and the rest of the girls, Penny, Bernie and Priya.

My natural inclination is not to get Oscar anything to celebrate his day, but never let it be said that I, Amy am churlish. As it happens, the human woman who lives here didn’t make a great job of locking the cage door last night so with a bit of effort I was able to extend the spring enough to squeeze out of the door. It was a short hop from there to the arm of the settee and hence to the floor. Since I know Oscar was locked in the kitchen there was no chance of him coming out to spoil our surprise.

Control is what’ s needed on an expedition like this since though we are very intelligent creatures it’s easy to get sidetracked for some. Bernie is a case in point. She’s a very friendly girl but bares around like a ‘Sherman tank’ to borrow a human phrase and she’s very inquisitive too. That was almost our downfall when Bernie jumped up on the arm of the settee after I’d released her, and tried to pull a bag of treats within reach from a side table. The treats came alright, but so did a solid ashtray that didn’t bounce as it hit the wooden floor. I hear Oscar’s claws scrabbling at the kitchen door and was worried one of the humans would come and spoil our surprise.

At last we were all out and I had us down on the floor ready to go.I’d seen the human woman put Oscar’s gifts in a corner of the room. We edged over quietly. I set Penny’s jaws to eating through the paper and cardboard until the contents were exposed. Oh YAY it was full of cat chocolate drops. We’re quite partial to those too so I pulled some out and set hem in little piles on the floor. ” Here you go girls” I said, “let’s give Oscar his birthday treat.” Without hesitation the girls and I dug in. I replenished each pile as it got low until we were all full and the box was all but empty.

Gathering the girls and their satisfied smiles together I herded them back to the cage.
Freedom had beckoned for a moment but I knew it would be difficult through closed doors. Back in the cage Bernie turned to me and asked ” But what have we got Oscar for his birthday since we’ve just eaten his treats?”
“Ah, I answered, the best one of all. Since he’s getting larger as he’s got older, we’ve given him a diet.” With that I closed the cage door to so our little enterprise wouldn’t be discovered. and thought that maybe next year he’d learn to share.
Love, Amy.

Kylo Ren

The Hulk

Anyone for Tennis?

Today’s Music Treat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTIuNikq4w

A Message to Terrorists.

Since you have perverted the message of the Q’uran it is likely that your cowardice in purposefully targeting the innocent which includes people of what you claim is your faith means that your places in Paradise have been given to the faithful. Your places in the burning fires of hell have been reserved. Manchester and a new London attack have not changed the minds of the UK. Muslims who live here are our brothers and sisters and we shall not hate them.

A Message to my Readers.

Have a wonderful new week full of tolerance, love and Hugs. Keep in mind the courage of the three young men, two of whom lost their lives, who went to the aid of two young Muslim girls being harangued on a train by a white supremacist. Bear in mind also the courage and kindness of the people of Manchester who came out in droves to help the victims of the bombing even offering accommodation to those too shocked to get home or those waiting for information. Also the courage displayed by the people of London yesterday and today was heartening to see. Thank you.